LAND FORCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23334, 28 October 1937, Page 12

LAND FORCES

BUILDING UP EFFICIENCY TERRITORIAL UNITS PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Oct. 27. The determination of the Government to exert every effort to build up the efficiency of the land forces in New Zealand was expressed by the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) during his reply to the second reading debate on the Army Board Bill in the House of Representatives to-night. Members had raised the question of the rates of pay in the defence forces, Mr Jones said. The question affected both the territorials and the regular forces. In respect to the latter it had been found in 1930 that certain anomalies existed in the scales of pay for married men and single men to such an extent that certain men in the defence forces were placed at an advantage in comparison with other members of the civil service. Certain variations had then been introduced with a new rate of pay for enlistments, but the position at present was that it would be difficult to overcome the problem without restoring the anomaly which had been found to exist a few years ago. The Government had the matter under consideration, however, and would endeavour to meet the position. "The position of the territorial force has been disappointing for the past five or six years," the Minister continued. " Withdrawals have been almost as numerous as enlistments, and it is impossible to have a satisfactory force without continuity of service. We are endeaving, however, to make our land forces more efficient than they have been in the past. We have a plan for the development of the territorial forces, and we believe that it can be carried out successfully." Mr Jones mentioned that new uniforms would be provided for the territorial forces within the next 12 months. From several quarters suggestions had been made that some units should be put into Highland uniforms and the people of Otago and Southland seemed enthusiastic over the proposal. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr A. Hamilton): Hear! Hear! " We will have a look at that," Mr Jones said, "and see if something can be done to comply with the suggestions." Mr Jones said the Government was buying large quantities of ammunition from Australia and generally co-operating with the Commonwealth. Small arms ammunition was still being supplied by the Colonial Ammunition Company at Auckland. With regard to specialist training for cadets at secondary schools the Minister said the general opinion among officers appeared to be that it was of very little value. He had been informed that the specialist training of cadets exercised no real influence on recruiting for the territorial forces. Something should be done to assist the social side of the territorial movement and district rifle meetings ,vere being reintroduced. Other steps would also be taken towards the same end. "It is considered by the authorities," Mr Jones said, " that the most likely form of attack on New Zealand is a possible raid. One can never say when an attack on a larger scale might be attempted, but with the improvement in our military forces and organisation we will be in a position to resist any invasion by raiders. Of course, we could not resist a major attack any more than Australia could without the help of the British Navy." The' Bill was read a second time.